Myeloid Leukemia

Classification of AML by Monoclonal Antibody Microarray 241
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Classification of AML Using a Monoclonal Antibody
Microarray
Richard I. Christopherson, Kerryn Stoner, Nicole Barber, Larissa Belov,
Adrian Woolfson, Mike Scott, Linda Bendall, and Stephen P. Mulligan
Summary
A cluster of differentiation (CD) antibody microarray called the DotScan microarray has
been developed that enables an extensive immunophenotype to be obtained for a suspension of
leukocytes in a single analysis. For a leukemia with a leukemia count of greater than 10 ⋅ 109 /
L, the immunophenotype obtained is essentially that of the leukemic clone. The antibody
microarray is printed as microscopic (10 nL) dots on a nitrocellulose film on a microscope
slide. Cells are captured by the immobilized antibodies and a dot pattern is recorded with an
optical array reader giving the immunophenotype of the leukemia. Procedures are being developed
that should enable diagnosis of myeloid leukemias by comparison of the dot pattern
obtained from an unknown blood sample with a library of consensus patterns for the common
leukemias.
Key Words: AML; antibody; array; CD antigen; CD11b; CD13; CD33; CD34; CD117; cell
capture; diagnosis; FAB classification; immunophenotype; myeloid leukemia; pattern recognition;
prognosis; proteomics; WHO classification.
1. Introduction
1.1. Background
The “cluster of differentiation” (CD) antigens were discovered on leukocytes
using monoclonal antibodies that “cluster” for reaction with particular
cells. CD numbers have been assigned to these antigens at successive meetings
on human leukocyte differentiation antigens (HLDA). At the last meeting,
HLD8 in December 2004, 92 new CD antigens were added tot he existing list
of 247 (1), bringing the total number to CD339, with more antigens if different
variants of the proteins are included (e.g., CD11a, 11b, and 11c). Although the
CD antigens have been discovered on leukocytes, they fulfill functions required
From: Methods in Molecular Medicine, Vol. 125: Myeloid Leukemia: Methods and Protocols
Edited by: H. Iland, M. Hertzberg, and P. Marlton © Humana Press Inc., Totowa, NJ
241